Also on [the] menu, the “Michelle Melt,” a turkey burger which features caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, ruby tomato, lettuce on a freshly baked wheat bun with South Lawn herb garden mayo. Both White House themed sandwiches run for $6.89.

The lunch group included Mr. Obama’s budget director, Jack Lew; Vice President Joe Biden‘s chief of staff, Bruce Reed; the director of the National Economic Council, Gene Sperling; the White House’s top laison to Congress, Rob Nabors; and deputy White House Chief of Staff Nancy Ann DeParle.

Of course, leave it to the right-wing Washington Timesto be critical of such a non-political gesture, pointing out the calories and tying the meal to the issue of borrowing money:

…giving new meaning to the “Popeye” character Wimpy’s catchphrase “I’d gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today.”

The White House said the outing, at which the president consumed a meal of about 1,700 calories, was a reward for the debt team’s “nonstop” work over the last few months as they worked out a deal with Capitol Hill…